Upholstered chair



Sept. 19; 1944.

D. R. BEACHLEY UPHOLSTERED CHAIR Filed Oct. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l t a I Sept. 19, 1944. D R BEACH LEY UPHOLSTERED CHAIR Flled Oct. 23, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 19, D R BEACHLEY y i UPHOLSTERED CHAIR Filed Oct. 23, 1942 v 3 Sheets-Sheet Patented Sept. 19, 1944 T OFFICE.

UPHOLSTE'RED; CHAIR Donovan R. Beachley, Hagerstown, Md., assignor to Beachley-Reichard Furniture 00., Inc., I Hagerstown, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application October 23, 1942, Serial No. 463,113

12 Claims.

The present invention relates toimprovements in upholstered furniture such as chairs, davenports, and the like, and more particularly to improvements in the construction of the spring cushion bottoms and backs of such furniture, as

is embodied in the present application.

"Upholstered'furniture such as is herein referred to, has heretofore been made with deep spring cushion seat. and back structures employing a rigid frame and groups of metal-coil springs which are suitably tied together and set into the frame to provide cushions having spring edge structures after which the structures are covered by base fabric, then a suitable depth of stufiing or padding, and finally a top covering of cushion structures having a uniform soft yielding body and spring edge is produced.

A still further object of the invention is the V provision of a Wooden spring cushion structure ornamental fabric, which is secured over the Y padding to provide the desired finish and style for the completed article.

a The present invention relates to this class of structure, inasmuch as it seeks to produce all of the advantages thereof, but has the further advantage of replacing the diversified forms of metallic spring structures heretofore required and which can no longer be obtained or used for this purpose under existing restricted I conditions. Hence, the spring cushion structure of the present disclosure is formed of wooden members suitfor upholstered furniture which islsimple in form, relatively inexpensive to maintain, and

which is Well, adapted for the diversified uses herein shown and described. I For a more complete understanding of the nature and object of the, invention, therefore, reference will now be had to the following ,de tailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: r Fig. 1 is a perspective view partially in section of an upholstered chairshowing, the improved wooden spring cushion structures 'in accordance; with a preferred embodiment of the invention;- 1 Fig. 2 is a vertical section in a plane substantially as represented by line,22, on Fig. 3, the padding-being omitted. on theback of the chair;

Fig. 3' is a vertical'section in a plane substantially as represented ,by line 3-3, on Fig.2, both the back and seat of. the chair being shown upbolstered;

, Fig. 4 isan enlarged sectional detail of the.

' loose connection at the rear end of each'of the ably tied together and combined with both the frame and the upholstery to produce the desired spring cushion and spring edge recognized as V essential in this type of furniture.

Wherever the term chair is used hereinafter, it will; be understood, from the foregoing, that all types of spring cushion upholstered furniture are intended to be covered thereby. j 'A primary object of this invention is therefore to provide such upholstered furniture having wooden spring cushion structures which possesses all ofthe desired characteristics of metal spring structures heretofore used for thispurpose.

A further object of this invention is the provision of such a spring cushion structure employing relatively broad. wooden :slat members which, as constructed and arranged, possess im-; proved cushion-supporting and upholstery shaping characteristics, as well as other desirable functions not present in metallic wire spring cushion structures heretofore used, in that the said woodenstructure is also lighter and more highly sensitive in its yielding actions.

Another object is the provision of an all wood- 7 for :upholstered chairs and the like which is capable of yielding throughout-its extent including ,thefree edges thereof, wherebyupholstered bottom seat slats as indicated by arrow 4, in Fig,

3, to permit sliding movement thereof;

V Fig. 5 is a broken top plan view of the struc ture of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detailjof the flexible hinge connection of the front end of each of the bottom slats of the spring cushion structure indicated by the arrow 6, in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 'isabroken 'top plan view of the structure of Fig, 6;

Fig. 8 isa perspectiveview-of the wood spring unit as it would appear if viewed apart from the seat or back of a chair such as is illustrated in Figs. 1, -2 and 3, or a cushion trated in Fig. 9; and, g

Fig. 9 is 'a'vertical section of a reversible'upbolstered cushion showing of Fig. 8,assembled therein.

Referringnow to the drawings in detail and by useof reference characters, C designates a chair'in its entirety. Whilebut a single specific form of chair is here illustrated,- it is to be under stood that'this showing is'only for the purpose of disclosing the adaptation of the improved Wood spring cushion structures thereto, from: V which it will'be clearly understood how these are also adapted for use with various'other formsflof,

upholstered furniture, aswell as cushion inserts and the like The frame of the chair Cv as .shown, embodies;

front legs l0, rear legs I I, front uprights l2, rea rwardlysloping back members l3, and arms l4 connecting the uprights l2 and members l3. s A

base frame portion is supported by the legs In such as is illusthe wood spring unit rail IS. The upholstered chair vC is provided witha seat spring cushion unit S and a back spring trated in perspective in Fig. 8, and to which unit 1 reference will now be made.

I This unit comprises one set or grid of relatively wide plain wood slats 35 interconnected at their opposite ends byend strips 36 and a second sim- 1 ilar set or grid of wood slats 31 are interconnected cushion unit B and while identical formsof units may be used in both the seatand back, the seat unit is preferably formed for greater strength and flexibility and such unit will now be de--- scribed. This unit comprises a plurality of parallel upper relatively wide and spaced spring; relatively fiat wood slats 2l, which, if desired,

may be slightly concaved upwardly, and such slats are interconnectedat the opposite endsby wood, fiber; or othersuitably flexible strips'ZZ to forma grid-like structure. Alike-number-pf parallel lower wood slats 23 are included: in the bottomof the unit and theseslats may be flat'as shown in Fig. 8'or concavedl downwardly as shown in Fig. 3. The two sets of slats may each be interconnected at their en'ds'by a woodenor similar strip 24.

Interposed between these upper andlowerxgridlike setsof slats and each vertical pair thereof: is apair of oppositely bowed wood slatswhich are concaved toward ea'chotheior in'opposi-tionto the adjacent upper andlower slats 21 and 23. Theseslats 25 are in contactwith andgconnected to' theslats 2 I and 23 substantially midway. of

their lengths and theopposed ends of the. pairs of slats-25am in contact 'betweenzthe upper-and lower sets of slats; thus providing: an intermediate full elliptical spring structure. These slats. 21;.

25 and 23 are preferablyflexiblyconnected inter- 'mediatetheir. endsby means of'iabric pieces125.

which are wrapped around or otherwise connected to the slats as by adhesive or nails, as is indicate-d particularly in Fig. 8; and'theqadjacent"ends-of the pairs of slats 25' are also flexibly connected by fabric pieces 21 which are secured thereto by adhesive or by nails, as is also indicatedin Fig. 8.- The fabric connections, p articularly at the ends of the slats provide for maximum flexing move ment' of the slats without noise.- I g I The lower slats 23 or the seat unit 3' are shown flexibly connectedwith the front andrear framerails l5and-Ll6'so as to permit free nexin'g of the slats. In this connection, it will be noted that the. front and rear ends of .slats 23have1pivotal andjsliding movements; respectively, on strips {29 and 30', which strips are secured to rails l5 and The, front ends of these slats I 6, respectively. p p are hingedly connected to the. strip 29 and rail' I5 by means of fabric pieces 3| whichare secured to. the slats and extended.upwardlyv along. the.

inner face of the rail I5 and secured theretoby' means of an additional strip nailedto therail as is clearly shown in Fig. 6.

The rear ends of theseslatsare. slidabilyconnected to strip 30 by meansof fabric, pieces 33;. which pieces are loosely secured to the lower faces of the slats-andto the front face; of the trip 30. as is clearly shownin Fig.4. ;It is to: be. notedthat the loosenessoi. the fabric. strips-33 allow.- substantialmovement: offtheserslat ends: on the strip 39,. whereby anupwardly bowed-i fOImI Qf these lower slats is capable of straighteningwhen yielding under therload': on the slats' 2.l.'-of;ithe

at their opposite ends by strips 38, the grids of slate 35 and 31 being yieldably connected in spaced parallel planes by a series of interposed oppositely arched wood slats 39 which are con- :necte dtothe slatsof the upper and lower grids 35 and 31 respectively by strips of fabric 25. As

" clearly shown in' Fig. 8, the fabric strips 26 are connected to the slats 35 and 31 intermediate the ends thereof and to intermediate portions of the I oppositely. bowed slats 39 and thecontacting ends of these bowed slats 39 I are vhingedly connected byfabricstripsZ'l. i g

Inzthe construction of. all. wooden chairsbacks; the. unit. as; described and: shown particularly in Fig. 8 maybe employedzf As shown particularly. in Figsll2i and 3; either of; the end strips 36"or 33. may be placed: against. the chair frame rails i8: and. I9. and: secured to: one or" both of these. rails by. fabric strips or by direct nailin ,after which:thexbackxframe'ofthe. chair including the. spring. unitiindicated at; B '-.is I upholstered in the manner? previously: described.

-'-.Hence; the spring units indicated at"B and-S Fig. .3 maybe interchangeable, may be reversed.

from: the positions shown, or may be extended lengthwise ofthe chair; instead of crosswise due to the symmetrical formation:of'this unit; The

reversible. construction herein described also makes zt'herunit'well adapted for use as a'yieldable core; or filler. for a. separate upholstered cushion; as indicated. at. 401m Fig: 9.-

In whichever form-the spring units;.as'herein described; arerused;.the-grid-like sides andin termediate bowed members are initially slightly compressed by the. addition of the upholstery tlieretortopcombine therewith in: providing the. desired: spring cushion; hence. the upholstered: seats-.andabacks .of' chairs may take various forms a'szdesired...

One practicalforma isthereshown which. em-- ploys; aba'ser fabric" 42.: secured over and'held tautiby theispringunit:S; an outer fabric. 43 and an intermediates stufiing 44; Theedges of thefabrics 32 and: 43::arei: suitably secured" to: the. chairrframe members-.a-szillustrated, particularly in. Figs. 21and.3. .1 The: upholstering of.- the backof.theichairiwl'iileigenerally similar 'to' that of the seatais: shown as comprising.abaseifabric 45 an outer ornamental. fabric 46,.- and interposed stuffin'g; 41 with. thei'edges; of t the :fabrics secured to thebackiramemembers; I

.Ndyrv withreferencetdFig. 9; it will be' noted that 'thewupholstered, separate and reversible cushion. thererillustrated-iin' section" comprises an: inn'enspring .unit, .such.as isrshown inlperspective in'LFig'. 8;...and this; unitiise compressed within a; fabricfenvel'ope.'50:which.then surrounds .the unit;

An: outer ornamental covering v indicated at 51 upper grid member which is: transmitted through the intervening oppositely bowed slats::25.'-

and an interposed? stuffing indicated at'52" are yieldably'held'f in" firm extended yet compressible condition; at its. edge'si-as-iwellasi-at intermediate points by this. inner structure which combines therewith; 1 w

As a means of insuringpro'per support for the upholste'ring. torprovi'd perfect freedom of movement: between the7baSE f abricand' surf aces: of the springislat .niem'bers iili .r.use, with a minimum of l friction and:v weara thereon... as well as p're ven't noise: between .theislats. and theirisupports and also insuring against variances in tension of the spring slat members under chan ging atmospheric or climatic conditions, the entire surfaces of the slats are coated or encased in a covering of lacquer or other smooth and flexible moisture resisting material.

From th foregoing, it will be observed that a novel wood spring cushion unit is provided for upholstered chairs by this invention and that upholstered units made in accordance with this invention will be highly sensitive in use and. uniform in its yeilding properties including the free edges thereof. It will also be observed from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings that the unit is simple in construction, durable in use and readily assembled and disassembled due to its reversible characteristics.

While I have disclosed but a single specific embodiment of my invention, same is to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the sub-joined claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An upholstered chair and the like comprising a supporting frame, upholstering material secured to the frame, a pair of spaced relatively flat grids one of which is supported on the frame and flexibly secured at its forward edge thereto and the other is in yieldable engagement with the upholstering, each grid comprising relatively wide and flat yieldable wood slats, means connecting the slats of each grid in spaced-relation, pairs of oppositely bowed slats arranged between the slats of the grids and connected thereto intermediate their ends, and means hingedly connecting the ends of the pairs of oppositely bowed slats.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means between the slats of the two grids extends along lines intermediate the free edges of the grids.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the oppositely bowed slats are flexibly connected by a fabric hinge member and one of the grids is flexibly connected to the supporting frame for movement relative thereto.

4. In an upholstered chair, a spring edge cushion unit comprising a series of pairs of relatively wide and fiat yieldable wood slats in closely spaced and substantially parallel relation, and a pair of bowed yieldable wood slats interposed between each of said first mentioned pairs of slats, said bowed slats each being connected intermediate its ends to one of said first mentioned pairs of slats by a fabric strip, and said bowed slats being each concaved toward the other and with their ends connected in hinge engagement by fabric strips.

5. An upholstered chair comprising a frame including vertically spaced horizontal rails in the back thereof, and laterally spaced horizontal rails in the seat thereof, a wood slat cushion unit secured to said back rails, a wood slat cushion unit having flexible connections with said seat rails, fabric sheets having their edges secured to said frame and holding said units in slight compresspaced parallel relatively flat wood slats having their respective ends rested upon each of said strips, laterally spaced parallel and yieldable flat wood slats parallel to and spaced from said first slats, bowed wood slats disposed between the said first and second flat slats, and stufiing including inner and outer fabric sheets disposed over and holding said second fiat slats and bowed slats under slight initial compression.

7. The structure according to claim 6, wherein said bowed slats are convex toward and in engagement with respective slats of said first and second mentioned relatively flat slats, fabric pieces encircling said bowed and relatively flat slats and connecting same intermediate the ends thereof at said points of engagement thereof, the respective ends of said bowed slats contacting one another intermediate the first and second relatively flat slats and fabric sheets enclosing said ends and connecting same together.

8. An upholstered chair comprising a frame including laterally spaced horizontal seat rails, a plurality of spring wood slats spaced longitudinally of said rails and having their respective opposite ends resting thereon, a plurality of similar wood slats in vertical aligmnent with said first slats, a pair of oppositely bowed wood slats disposed between each two vertically aligned slats, with their midportions in contact therewith and their respective opposite ends in engagement be- 9. The structure according to claim 8, wherein said slats are connected at their contacting portions by fabric strips surrounding same and secured thereto, and substantially V-shaped fabric strips disposed over the engaged ends of the last named slats and secured thereto.

10. The structure according to claim-8, wherein corresponding ends of said first slats are flexibly secured to one of said rails against movement longitudinally of the slats, and the other corresponding ends of said slats are flexibly secured to the other of said rails for limited sliding movement longitudinally of the slats.

11. In upholstered chairs and the like having a supporting frame, a spring edge cushion comprising a pair of spaced relatively flat grids one of which is supported on the frame and. the other is in yieldable engagement with upholstering secured thereon to the frame, each grid comprising relatively wide and flat yieldable wood slats, means connecting the slats of each grid in spaced relation, pairs of oppositely bowed slats arranged members, upwardly bowed upholstering supportsion, other fabric sheets spaced from said first ,sheets and having their edges secured to said frame, and stuffing disposed between'said spaced sheets.

6. In an upholstered chair, vertically spaced horizontal rails, a wood strip secured to and extending longitudinally of each rail, laterally ing slats having their front and rear ends resting upon said rail members, fabric strips flexibly connecting corresponding ends of the slats to one of said rail members for free pivotal movement, and fabric strips flexibly connecting corresponding ends of the slats to the other of said rail members for free limited sliding and shifting pivotal movements thereon.

' DONOVAN R. BEACHLEY, 

